Please help me safely lap a scuffed Scythe Ninja HSF

[mshan]

I recently bought a 2 week old Scythe Ninja HSF and it arrived with several scuffs on it's copper interface:

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/mshan/IMG_0814.jpg

I think it got damaged in transit because the seller left one of the mobo brackets resting against this surface and I think it rubbed against it in transit, producing those three linear scratches in the top of the photo above.

I'm thinking of getting this lapping kit from SVC.com ( http://www.svc.com/lapkit-p.html ) to eliminate those scratches.

I've never lapped a hsf before, so what should I know in terms of things to avoid and hints to do it right? e. g. how securely do those Ninja brackets clamp the hsf to the mobo (I'm using socket 939) and is it possible to sand off too much, leaving a gap that can only be filled with excess application of Artic Silver Ceramique?

Also, is it safe to rinse the hsf under running water and then let it completely dry out for several days to make sure there are no metal filing that could short out a mobo?

 

[swtethan]

I bought automotive sanding paper from a local auto store for $10 (320, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500). i didnt use anything but the paper to lap. went slowly and cleaned everything off with canned air. everythign went smoothly. that was 2+ weeks ago.

 

[mshan]

Is the grit of sandpaper we're talking about fine enough that it's impossible to sand off too much, creating a less than optimal pressure interface between hsf and cpu?

 

[trOver]

Just tighten the screws 1/2 turn more if your worried about pressure interface.

 

[mshan]

The Scythe Ninja socket 939 bracket just has a hinged clamp that locks into place, so I don't think there is an option to adjust pressure in that way.

 

[Bill Kunert]

You will be surprised how little material you will actually be removing. I wouldn't worry about a lack of pressure. After lapping with up to 2000 grit I did final polishing on ordinary printer paper for about 10 minutes. Gives a nice mirror like finish.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: mshan
The Scythe Ninja socket 939 bracket just has a hinged clamp that locks into place, so I don't think there is an option to adjust pressure in that way.

With the grits of sandpaper you'll be using, it would take you years to remove too much of the contact surface from a Scythe Ninja. As a matter of fact, once you've finished, you'll wish you had taken more off, I'm willing to bet. They fit that tight.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: swtethan
I bought automotive sanding paper from a local auto store for $10 (320, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500). i didnt use anything but the paper to lap. went slowly and cleaned everything off with canned air. everythign went smoothly. that was 2+ weeks ago.

http://hardwarelogic.com/news/...E/1089/2006-01-04.html

 

[mshan]

Based on the picture above, do you guys think I should lap my Ninja, or will those linear scuffs not really affect how well the hsf and cpu interface?

 

[Binky]

Those scratches look tiny, and they aren't even near the cores. Why bother...

 

[mshan]

It's really just those 3 linear scratches along the top edge of the copper I'm concerned about.

The person I bought it from just kinda of stuffed everything in the original box and one of the mounting brackets rubbed and scratched the copper surface there in transit.